THE STEELERS’ NAJEE HARRIS WASN’T LETTING ANYONE STOP HIM ON SEPT. 8, 2024, AGAINST THE FALCONS. (PHOTO BY MARLON MARTIN)
:10—Finally the NFL season has begun and our Pittsburgh Steelers are on top of the division with an 18-10 victory on the road over the flightless Atlanta Falcons, Sept. 8. It wasn’t pretty unless you like a defense that blanketed the Falcons and held them to 52 total yards in the second half and had three turnovers and winning the turnover battle, which is always a good sign leading to victory. As the old school cat and former defensive lineman, I loved it. The Steelers possessed the ball for almost 36 minutes compared to 24 minutes for the Falcons and the defensive line basically controlled the line of scrimmage, getting better as the game went on. The defense was pretty stellar and get a solid A. Well done, men.
:09—Game ball, of course, goes to Chris Boswell, he of the 6 for 6 field goals, 57, 51, 44, 56, 40 and 25 plus a key 43-yard punt with about 3:30 left in the fourth quarter when punter Cameron Johnston was injured and now as we all know, lost for the season. Boswell has the highest percentage of made field goals over 50 yards in the history of the NFL and seems completely impervious to any pressure at all. Money. The man is money.
:08—Sticking to the defense, T.J. Watt was, as usual, an absolute beast on the field. His final stats only show 1 sack but we all know he lost 3 sacks due to poor officiating. For one, the most egregious, he clearly timed the one sack he was called offside on, replays showing the center bobbed his head, which should have been a penalty, and T.J. moved at the exact split second the ball was hiked and was in the backfield sacking Kirk Cousins so quickly the officials threw a flag because they thought he couldn’t be THAT quick. WRONG! Officiating was awful across the NFL in Week 1 so expect nothing less. But Watt was all over the place, recovering a fumble, stuffing the run in the backfield, applying pressure again and again and again. I’m not sure how he lost out on Defensive Player on the Year last year but if Week 1 is any indication, he is playing like a man on a mission to correct that.
:07—How about that secondary? Didn’t hear much from Joey Porter Jr.? Know why? They didn’t pass toward him at all, he’s just that darn good already. Donte Jackson? Interception. DeShon Elliott? Interception. Minkah Fitzpatrick? Leading tackler with 7 tackles, 6 of them solo tackles. They held Kirk Cousins, a blitz-killer with his quick release throughout his career, to 155 yards passing and a QB rating of 59.0. Tremendous work from the entire secondary.
:06—As for the defensive line, they held their own, won ugly across the line of scrimmage and wasn’t gouged for a huge run or three like they have been the last several seasons. Montravius Adams had a key sack and Cameron Heyward was solid as a brick wall, so with a tweak or two, they seem fine for now, a work in progress that can and will be better as the season continues. All in all, the defense seemed ready to go and I believe they are capable of bigger and better things.
:05—“We don’t live in our fears.” Oh really? Fourth and short, leading 15-10 with Chris Boswell ready to make it 18-10 and you go for it and get stuffed on a poor QB sneak call that lost a yard? C’mon man! Make it an 8 point game with your defense crushing it. I’m just saying.
:04—Does George Pickens look like a man ready to run up a 100-reception, 1,500-yard season? There’s no reason to not target him 15 times a game, I swear his hands are coated with Stickum. Look it up, youngbloods. And as for the offensive pass interference call he got, are you kidding me? He, in no way, pushed off on that play and he should have at least 36 more yards to add to his credited 85 yards receiving and 6 receptions. And another blown call, how is he down by contact on his 40-yard reception when he was clearly untouched? Another 15 yards lost to poor officiating. Is there an eye test for all NFL officials before the season starts?
:03—We’ve now reached the point where we talk about the O-Line and Najee Harris. Najee was Najee, steady, grinding out yards and ball possession one carry at a time, effective and at the end of the game, when the Falcons stuffed the line with 8 and 9 men he was still able to move the ball and run down the clock. The O-Line was/is a work in progress, a few injuries from what we want and need but they were able to help the Steelers rush for 137 yards and hold onto the ball when needed and keep the Falcons offense off the field. No touchdowns, can’t sugarcoat that, they have to put the ball in the end zone, the play-calling was well short of dynamic, too conservative and reminiscent of the past two seasons but I still give them both a “B” with room for improvement. Touchdowns needed though, no excuses.
:02—Justin Fields, 17-23 for 156 yards, no touchdowns and no turnovers but also with 57 yards rushing, many on key third down plays. He fumbled the first play but had an error-free game, a major plus for him in his career, and steered the team in position for Boswell’s 6 field goals and should have had 7 field goals. It was enough for the victory, a 91.9 QB rating and when let loose a little, threw some rockets to George Pickens downfield. It was a managed victory because they didn’t open up the offense much so, although I’m encouraged. I also think if Russell Wilson is ready and healthy against the Denver Broncos, he will and should be the QB. The Steelers do need to open up the middle of the field with some slants to the slot receiver and some quick hitting passes to Pat Freiermuth. Why sign him to a new big contract if you won’t use him up the middle to open up the outside more for George Pickens? Seems counterproductive to the offense.
:01—With punter Cameron Johnston out for the season, do the Steelers bring back Pressley Harvin and his mediocre punting ability? Hear me out, hold on, because he’s considered an absolute spot-on, expert field goal and extra point holder. Look, with Chris Boswell an absolute threat to score 3 every time from just about anywhere on the field, a great holder is a must. Do they live with the Harvin punting that can boom one punt 60 yards and the next three 35-40 yards? The trade-off might be worthwhile, I’m not sure who else is out there. Does anyone have Brad Wing’s phone number? Jordan Berry?
:00—The Browns let Baker Mayfield, who led them to a playoff victory, go and signed DeShaun Watson to a gazillion dollars to be their QB. Good call, Browns management.
GAME OVER.